If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, let’s get cozy with these dazzling rocks that have won hearts and wallets across the globe. Diamonds are not just pretty little things that sparkle in the sunlight. They also symbolize luxury, love, and sometimes even power. But have you ever stopped to think about what’s behind that jaw-dropping price tag? Let’s dig deep and uncover these glittering wonders’ real value, price, and worth.
The world of diamonds has a fair share of controversy. But one thing’s for sure – they’ve been turning heads and making us go weak in the knees for centuries. So why are these shiny stones sought, and how do they get their hefty price tags? Are they worth their weight in gold, or is it all just smoke and mirrors?
Read on as we take a closer look at the ins and outs of the diamond trade, from their fiery birth deep within the earth to the gleaming adornments they become. Let’s discover the true worth of these tiny, twinkling treasures and find out why they’ve become such a big deal.
What Diamonds Are
Diamonds are formed from carbon under extreme heat and pressure, deep within the Earth’s mantle over millions of years. These stunning, crystal-clear stones are revered for their hardness, brilliance, and ability to reflect and refract light, making them a highly sought-after choice for jewelry and industrial applications.
We have listed below the prices of diamonds by color. These aren’t the only colors, given how many trace elements are found in various types of diamonds, but they tend to be the most common.
Red Diamond
Red diamonds, an incredibly rare and captivating variation, owe their unique color to a phenomenon known as “plastic deformation.” During the diamond formation process, intense heat and pressure cause changes in the crystal lattice structure.
This alteration results in the absorption of specific wavelengths of light, allowing only the red hues to be transmitted. The presence of trace elements like nitrogen and boron can also influence the final color, creating these mesmerizing, fiery red gems highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts.
How much is a red diamond worth
A red diamond is the rarest diamond you can ever find. Its price usually ranges from $1,000,000 – $1,600,000. Talk about rarity!
Pink Diamond
Pink diamonds, among the rarest of colored diamonds, gain their enchanting hue due to a process called “plastic deformation.” As these diamonds form under immense heat and pressure, their crystal lattice structure is altered, causing selective absorption of light.
Unlike other colored diamonds, pink diamonds don’t owe their color to trace elements. Rather, it’s the distortion within the lattice that allows the pink tones to shine through, creating these charming, delicate, and highly sought-after gems in the world of fine jewelry.
How much is a pink diamond worth
Pink diamond is one of the most uncommon colored diamonds and typically has a price of $2,300 – $5,000.
Green Diamond
Green diamonds, a rare and intriguing variety, acquire their verdant hue through natural irradiation. When diamonds are close to radioactive minerals deep within the Earth, they absorb radiation, which in turn alters their crystal lattice structure. This change allows the diamond to selectively absorb and transmit specific wavelengths of light, resulting in its green appearance. The intensity of the green color can vary, but these striking gems always captivate collectors and connoisseurs with their refreshing, vibrant beauty.
How much is green diamond worth
Green diamonds are particularly priced at around $1,350 – $5,000.
Yellow Diamond
Yellow diamonds, also known as canary diamonds, get their sunny hue from the presence of nitrogen within their crystal lattice structure. As these diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle, nitrogen atoms replace some of the carbon atoms, impacting the way the stone absorbs and reflects light. This leads to the selective absorption of blue light, allowing the yellow tones to shine through. Yellow diamonds, with their warm, vibrant appearance, are an increasingly popular choice for unique and exquisite jewelry.
How much is yellow diamond worth
Since the quality of yellow diamonds can vary greatly, the price range is fairly large. Per carat, you should anticipate paying between $80 – $5,000.
Blue Diamond
Blue diamonds, a rare and captivating gemstone variety, derive their stunning azure hue from the presence of boron impurities within their crystal lattice structure. As the diamond forms under extreme pressure and heat, boron atoms replace some of the carbon atoms. The resulting lattice structure selectively absorbs and reflects light, allowing only the blue tones to be visible. With their deep, enchanting color and exceptional rarity, blue diamonds have become highly coveted treasures among collectors and enthusiasts alike.
How much is blue diamond worth
Blue diamonds are often highly-priced. It often sells for $1,000 – $2,300, on average.
Brown Diamond
Brown diamonds, often referred to as “chocolate” or “cognac” diamonds, obtain their rich hue from lattice distortions and the presence of trace elements within their crystal structure. These distortions and impurities, such as nitrogen or hydrogen, alter the way light interacts with the stone, creating the warm brown tones.
Although historically less coveted than their colorless counterparts, brown diamonds have gained popularity in recent years for their unique, earthy charm and as a more affordable option in the realm of colored diamonds.
How much is brown diamond worth
Brown diamonds can be quite valuable and fairly pricey. It typically sells for $300 – $1,650.
Black diamond
Black diamonds, also known as carbonados, derive their dark and mysterious hue from the presence of numerous inclusions and graphite within the diamond’s structure. These dense concentrations of inclusions absorb most of the light entering the stone, giving it a deep black appearance.
Unlike traditional transparent diamonds, black diamonds exhibit a unique opaque quality. They have gained popularity in contemporary jewelry design for their striking contrast, bold allure, and unconventional appeal.
How much is black diamond worth
The cost of black diamonds often ranges from $80 – $1,280.
Why Diamond Is So Expensive
The allure and value of diamonds have captivated humanity for centuries, casting a spell over our imaginations and earning a coveted spot in the world of luxury, wealth, and beauty. But what is it that makes these glistening gems so highly prized? Let’s dive into the fascinating reasons behind the diamond’s dazzling desirability.
Diamonds possess a unique combination of attributes that set them apart from other gemstones. Their incredible hardness, ranking at the top of the Mohs scale, makes them durable and a symbol of strength and resilience. Additionally, their exceptional brilliance and ability to reflect and refract light create an unparalleled sparkle that captures our attention and hearts.
Scarcity plays a significant role in the value of diamonds as well. Genuine natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle over millions of years under extreme heat and pressure. The journey from their fiery birth to the surface is rare, making these stones all the more precious and sought after.
The fascinating range of colors and shapes in diamonds contributes to their appeal. From classic colorless stones to rare and captivating hues, diamonds cater to various tastes and preferences, allowing them to hold a special place in fine jewelry. No wonder these sparkling treasures continue to captivate us and hold their position as a symbol of luxury and desire.
Oftentimes, diamonds are confused with other rocks and minerals. If you’re not 100% sure that what you have is diamond, check out our guides below:
How To Determine The Value Of Diamond
The price of any specific piece of diamond is typically based on a few significant factors:
Carat
Carat weight measures a diamond’s size and is one of the most significant factors influencing its price. Larger diamonds are generally more valuable, rarer, and often display more brilliance. However, a bigger diamond is not always more expensive if other factors, such as clarity and color, are less desirable.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence (or absence) of imperfections, called inclusions and blemishes, within or on the surface of a diamond. Diamonds with fewer imperfections are considered more valuable, allowing for better light transmission, enhancing the stone’s brilliance. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses a standardized clarity scale ranging from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3) to grade diamonds.
Color
For colorless diamonds, the absence of color is the most desired characteristic. A diamond’s color is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The closer a diamond is to the D end of the scale, the more valuable it is. Conversely, for fancy colored diamonds (such as blue, pink, or yellow), the color’s intensity, hue, and rarity significantly impact their value.
Cut
A diamond’s cut refers to the stone’s facets, angles, and proportions, which directly influence its ability to reflect and refract light, ultimately affecting its brilliance and fire. A well-cut diamond optimizes light performance, making the stone more valuable. The GIA uses a cut grading system for round brilliant diamonds, ranging from Excellent to Poor.
Shape
Specific shapes, such as round brilliants, are more expensive due to their popularity and the fact that they often display better brilliance and fire. Other shapes, like a cushion or emerald cuts, might be more affordable due to lower demand and less efficient use of the rough diamond during cutting.
Fluorescence
Some diamonds exhibit a visible glow under ultraviolet light, known as fluorescence. This trait can affect the diamond’s price, with strong fluorescence potentially lowering its value, while faint or no fluorescence might be more desirable.
Market demand and availability
Trends, consumer preferences, and the rarity of specific diamond characteristics can also influence a diamond’s price.
Certification and grading
Diamonds with a certificate from a reputable grading laboratory, such as GIA or American Gem Society (AGS), can command higher prices, as buyers have assurance about the diamond’s quality and authenticity.
Diamond Price By Color
Determining the price and value of diamonds requires a thorough understanding of their characteristics, known as the 4 Cs: Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut. These factors, along with market conditions and the diamond’s certification, play a crucial role in assessing the value of a diamond.
The following list includes the most common diamond colors’ recent prices.
Diamond values by color
| Color | Location | Price (Per Carat) |
| Red diamond | Any | $1,000,000 – $1,600,000 |
| Pink diamond | Any | $2,300 – $5,000 |
| Green diamond | Any | $1,350 – $5,000 |
| Yellow diamond | Any | $800 – $5,000 |
| Blue diamond | Any | $1,000 – $2,300 |
| Brown diamond | Any | $300 – $1,650 |
| Black diamond | Any | $80 – $1,280 |
As observed, there is a considerable variation in the worth and cost of different diamond colors. Let’s have fun and see how much diamond costs for other units.
Diamond pricing by unit of measurement
| Measurement | Price |
| A carat of diamond | $80 – $1,600,000 |
| A gram of diamond | $400 – $8,000,000 |
| An ounce of diamond | $11,350 – $226,800,000 |
| A kilogram of diamond | $400,000 – $8,000,000,000 |
| A pound of diamond | $181,450 – $3,628,750,000 |
| A ton of diamond | $362,900,000 – $7,257,500,000 |
The Most Expensive Diamond
The most expensive diamond ever sold at auction was the “Pink Star” diamond. This stunning 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut pink diamond fetched a record-breaking price of $71.2 million in April 2017 at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong.
The buyer, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, a Hong Kong-based jewelry retailer, renamed the gemstone the “CTF Pink Star” after its purchase. It’s worth noting that other diamonds might have been sold privately for higher amounts, but such transactions are not publicly disclosed.
How To Get An Appraisal On Your Diamond
Your diamond’s general value and pricing will be quite clear after reading our guide above. Having your diamond professionally appraised is still recommended to get the finest estimate possible. They will be able to discover both the positive qualities and the negative features that would be challenging for someone without experience to recognize.
Search for a professional appraiser with expertise in diamonds and gemstones. Look for someone who has credentials from a reputable organization, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). You can ask for recommendations from local jewelers, or friends, or search online to find an appraiser near you.
Usually, they will examine the diamond and provide you with a free pricing estimate. Several diamond dealers focus on buying and selling diamonds and can help if you need a more accurate estimate.
Local jewelry auction houses are also an option. You can frequently bring in the items you might be interested in selling and receive a free evaluation at these locations during regular hours. You don’t have to sell, but after you learn how much your diamond would sell for, you might decide to!
